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Columbia, South Carolina Yacht Bill of Sale

Use this bill of sale when selling a yacht in Columbia, South Carolina. It documents the transfer and helps you complete DMV title paperwork.

Columbia, South CarolinaYachtPopulation rank #187

What to include

  • Buyer and seller names and addresses
  • Yacht VIN and vehicle details
  • Sale price and date
  • Signatures from both parties

Next step

Create a compliant bill of sale and download the signed PDF immediately.

Local Requirements — Richland County

DMV / Title Office

SC SCDMV – Columbia Shop Road Office

Address

1630 Shop Rd, Columbia, SC 29201

Phone

(803) 896-5000

Office Hours

Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5:00 PM

Transfer Fees & Taxes

Title Transfer Fee

$15.00

Sales Tax Rate

9.00%

Base Registration Fee

$40.00

SC IMF fee $500 max on vehicle purchases

Notarization: NOT REQUIRED

South Carolina does not require notarization.

Columbia Transfer Checklist

  • $500 max IMF fee instead of standard sales tax
  • Title transfer at SCDMV within 45 days
  • Seller must sign title
  • Property tax paid to Richland County

County Information — Richland County

County Clerk / Recorder

Richland County Clerk of Court

Phone

(803) 576-1950

Yacht market data and safety information

The most common yacht makes in private-party sales are Sea Ray, Beneteau, Boston Whaler, Grady-White, Viking. Average private-party yacht prices range from $50,000–$500,000+. Yachts average 1 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Fuel System, Electrical, Engine.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used yacht

Before completing a yacht bill of sale in South Carolina, verify these safety items:

  • Require a professional marine survey before purchase — standard practice for vessels over 26 ft
  • Inspect engine hours, service records, and oil analysis reports
  • Check hull condition with moisture meter and visual inspection below waterline
  • Verify USCG documentation or state registration status

Yacht insurance and depreciation in South Carolina

Yacht insurance is 1–2% of hull value annually. Agreed-value policies are standard. Navigation limits and crew requirements affect premiums. Yachts depreciate 10–15% per year for the first 5 years. Well-maintained vessels from premium builders hold value best. Peak season for private yacht sales is fall/winter boat shows drive buyer interest for spring delivery, with an average of 90 days on market.

Yacht registration and titling

Yachts are classified as "USCG-documented vessel (over 5 net tons) or state-registered vessel" for registration purposes. Yachts are classified by length overall (LOA), not weight. Vessels over 65 ft may require a licensed captain. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to yachts.

Yacht sales in Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia residents completing a yacht bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to South Carolina state rules. The state sales tax rate is 5%, 5% infrastructure maintenance fee (imf), capped at $500. The most popular yacht makes in South Carolina include Sea Ray, Beneteau, Boston Whaler.

South Carolina bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 1,283 bill of sale documents for South Carolina transactions, with 35 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.

Why Documentation Helps Protect Asking Price

45% faster sale

Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.

Source: Experian / AutoCheck

$4,000 avg loss

NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.

Source: NHTSA

17.5M private sales/yr

About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.

Source: Cox Automotive 2024

1 in 3 buyers

Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.

Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)

Frequently asked questions

What county is Columbia in, and which office handles title transfers?

Columbia is in Richland County. Title transfers are handled by the SC SCDMV – Columbia Shop Road Office at 1630 Shop Rd, Columbia, SC 29201. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5:00 PM. Phone: (803) 896-5000.

What is the sales tax rate on a yacht sale in Columbia?

The combined rate is 9.00%. SC IMF fee $500 max on vehicle purchases.

Is notarization required for a yacht bill of sale in Columbia?

No. South Carolina does not require notarization.

What fees should I expect when transferring a yacht title in Columbia?

Title transfer fee: $15.00. Base registration fee: $40.00. Sales tax at 9.00% is collected at the time of title transfer.